conclave to elect the successor to pope benedict, but will now not be going to rome. our religious correspondent has the details. >> for a decade and more, he has been one of scotland's biggest personalities and strongest voices. then came allegations that cardinal o'brien behaved inappropriately towards four priests in his care during the 1980's. suddenly, he is out of office. today, cardinal o'brien stayed behind closed doors. in a statement, he acknowledged his poor health, but made no attempt to rebut the allegations against him. instead he said, for any good i have been able to do, i thank god. for any failures, i apologize to him all whom i have asked to all whom i have -- i apologize to all whom i have offended. a few days ago, he was the catholic church's elder statesmen, due to fly to rome to help choose the new pope -- statesman, due to fly to rome to help choose the new pope. >> the holy father excepted on february 18, the resignation .rom the cardinal >> the first minister said he had heard the news of cardinal o'brien's resignation with great sadness. >>